T-shirt sales raise money for popular Scotts Valley School District custodian hurt in motorcycle crash

SCOTTS VALLEY - T-shirt sales and donations Friday netted more than $4,000 for the family of a man who works for the Scotts Valley school district and was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident last week.

Daniel Garcia, a Watsonville father of five, is a well-liked custodian who often helps out with the high school football team, said his friend, Mark Lopez, a Scotts Valley police officer who spearheaded the fundraiser.

Tuesday, Garcia remained in a medically induced coma at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Lopez said, following a collision with a Jeep Grand Cherokee about 5 p.m. on Nov. 1 near Harkins Slough and Ohlone Parkway.

Police say the crash investigation is not complete, but that Garcia and the woman driving the Jeep were heading south on Harkins Slough when the Jeep driver made a turning movement into the lane where Garcia was riding. The Jeep had just come out of the New School parking lot, Lt. David McCartney said.

There were some encouraging signs Tuesday that Garcia would regain consciousness, and he was able to squeeze the hand of one of his daughters, Lopez said.

Friday, his condition was uncertain, and people at the high school homecoming game were generous in their support, Lopez said, "buying shirts and donating money left and right." Garcia's son plays for the varsity football team, he said.

"It's remarkable; the whole community is coming together and offering however much support they can," he said.

Lopez met Garcia several years ago, when his wife worked at Scotts Valley Middle School, he said, and he also worked with him while serving as a school resource officer at Scotts Valley High.

Lopez' son was also on the football team, before he graduated, and Garcia was frequently on the field helping out.

"He considers Daniel a surrogate father; he worked tirelessly for them," Lopez said. "He helped out with PAL Football too. He is just one of those guys who is constantly there, doing what needed to be done for the kids."

Superintendent Susan Silver said they are managing the best they can in Garcia's absence.

"Everybody knows him and thinks highly of him; it's devastating," she said. "We are hoping and praying that he is well."

Lopez said one high school student is trying to establish a nonprofit group to help school families who face hardships.

A fund was also recently established to help Erick Murai, a 16-year-old football player diagnosed with leukemia.